Portis

Wasp

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Portis Wasp

Portis Wasp assembles figures from borrowed parts. A sword in a garden, a dress built from advertisement fragments. He works in geometric shapes, laying one fragment over another, showing the process. Pulling intuitively from fashion editorial, celebrity portraiture, and art history, he returns to the body without irony, with the intention that an image should make the viewer feel something.

In the Words of the Artist

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I guess the best description for what I do would be a mixed media artist. I enjoy making imagery that reflects how I want things to look in a landscape where quite a lot of imagery can look very similar and serviceable.

I think in a lot of ways collage can make the impossible possible. The best collage artists aren’t necessarily creating something technically difficult, but whether intended or not, their work takes you to a place that makes you feel something. A lot of imagery, especially in the fashion industry, which I work in, doesn’t make us feel anything - which is why we latch onto certain artists who are committed to their unique point of view and refuse to compromise their artistic vision.

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For me, it is mostly intuitive. If I were to visit a museum or gallery, I would know immediately if I like something (or not), and it is the same when I am creating something. I have a good idea of what I’d like to do immediately, but of course at times you might change your mind whilst in the midst of creating something if a better idea strikes. I’d say I’m also heavily influenced by music whilst working - often playing one song on repeat, which I think is a bit of a Pisces thing and tends to put me in a flow state when creating.

I think Instagram has been a wonderful platform for me. It has allowed my creative work to reach people from all over the world, and I’m not sure I would be working in the fashion industry now had it not been for that platform.

That being said, I do think the artist must be wary of paying too much attention to “the audience”. The times when I’ve leaned into playing and creating something purely for my own enjoyment have always led to much stronger work. This is why, to some extent, an artist will always feel at odds working in the industry or finding themselves on a platform where there are guidelines to adhere to because you want to feel as free as possible to play and experiment with new ideas. Balance is important.

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What does keep me coming back to men? A trauma I haven’t worked through yet? Probably… Haha. I’m quite superficial, so I like what I like, but I also like to celebrate the discipline and dedication that goes into crafting a great body.  The male and female form is celebrated often in my work because it's not really something I tire of celebrating.

I knew I didn’t want to use my own name for my work, so yes, Portis Wasp is a collage in itself. I took Portis from the band Portishead and Wasp from Scottish author Iain Banks’ ‘The Wasp Factory’. What I recently found out, which I like, is that Portus Cale is the old name for the City of Porto in Portugal, so I have some Portuguese in the first name and some Scottish influence in the surname - which is a happy accident I’m pleased about.

I think stepping into a constructed identity allows you to go all in on your dreams when your current 3D reality might not align with your future self. You have to see yourself doing great things to eventually find yourself doing those great things one day.

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About the Artist

Portis Wasp is a Scotsman who likes to steal things... hearts, mostly. Initially gaining virality online for his collage reworking of fashion imagery, Portis now works in the fashion industry, collaborating with brands and magazines on cover stories, fashion campaigns, socials, and runway shows.

His unique point of view lends itself to working on projects from their initial conception, often collaborating with the world's top creatives. In addition, he is often asked by brands to rework their existing content, providing a fresh interpretation in his own style that both complements the brand's DNA whilst presenting the work in a fresh and exciting way.

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